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VANCOUVER -- Community groups in Vancouver’s Chinatown have waded into the controversial topic of the future of the Georgia/Dunsmuir viaducts, voicing their support for tearing down the bridges that link downtown with the city’s east side.

The groups, led by the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver, plan to meet before Vancouver City Hall holds a meeting to decide on the issue in the coming weeks.

According to the CBA, the Chinatown coalition strongly supports removing the viaducts.

“The viaducts create a barrier between Chinatown and neighbourhoods to its south, which severely limits the growth potential of the community’s business interests,” the statement by the CBA said. “The benefits (of removing the viaducts) far outweighs the negatives.”

Vancouver Coun. Geoff Meggs said Tuesday that he is happy with the CBA position, noting that the city sent out a fact sheet on the issue for local groups to study.

“I’m encouraged that they’ve studied it enough to be confident that replacing the viaducts is the right option,” said Meggs.

“We’re awaiting a staff report, but we know (from a previous report) that it would lead to a significant increase in park space, much better pedestrian and cycling connections for neighbourhoods around (False) Creek, and reconnect Chinatown with the area around the train station and SkyTrain.”

CBA also noted that the removal of the viaducts creates space for parks and walkways linking Chinatown to False Creek, furthering the prosperity of the neighbourhood.

Also included in the coalition: S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, Chinese Freemason, Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area Society, and the Shon Yee Benevolent Association.

A city official said this week that a report on the viaducts will be presented to council within the next four to six weeks, with a vote by council following shortly thereafter.

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